1:35 AM,
May 9, 2014

Written by

10TV.com

Prosecutors say an 11-year-old Delaware County boy nearly died after an adult family member punched him in the abdomen. Investigators say the suspect was "performing a gut check" to "toughen up" the boy.

The victim was 10 when this happened, but just marked a birthday at Nationwide Children's Hospital, recovering from surgery to save his life.

35-year-old Michael Smith appeared before a Delaware County judge Thursday ...